UN report urges immediate action to bring about peace

A new UN report on the situation in Burundi says regional economic sanctions are having a disastrous effect on the poor, and compound the already serious consequences of the country’s prolonged conflict. The report, prepared by OCHA-Burundi, notes that sanctions have complicated delivery of badly-needed humanitarian assistance with cumbersome procedures and long delays, wasting both time and money. It stresses that peace efforts within the country, while not without weaknesses, “must be recognised as unique” in a sub-region wracked by violent conflict. The report warns that Burundi is again at a crossroads. “In the past, such critical junctures have been unrecognised, ignored or in some cases deliberately squandered,” it points out. It urges the international community to take action in three areas: developing a programme of recovery, peace-building, human rights and economic growth; expanding humanitarian assistance; and supporting a process of “constructive engagement” to consolidate the progress achieved so far. “Action taken now will make a critical difference to the chances for peace in Burundi,” the report concludes.